Generating topological structures for surface models

Rapid prototyping has imposed new requirements on the processing of CAD models. To manufacture an object directly, the model must correspond to a real object and thus represent a closed volume. Its boundary must be continuous and closed, and no cracks or improper intersections are allowed. CAD models cannot always meet these requirements, especially when they are constructed by a surface modeler. The algorithm discussed analyzes surface models and generates a topological structure for them that meets rapid prototyping requirements for a closed volume with a continuous, closed boundary     

Correlation properties of combiners with memory in stream ciphers

For pseudo-random generators where one or several LFSRs are combined by a memoryless function, it is known that the output sequences are correlated to certain LFSR-sequences whose correlation coefficients c _t satisfy the equation _i c ₂ ⁱ = 1. In this paper it is proved that a corresponding result also holds for generators whose LFSRs are connected to a combiner with memory.If correlation probabilities are conditioned on side information, e.g., on known output digits, it is shown that new or stronger correlations may occur. This is exemplified for the summation cipher with only two LFSRs where such correlations can be exploited in a known plaintext attack. A cryptanalytic algorithm is given which is shown to be successful for LFSRs of considerable length and with arbitrary feedback connection.A preliminary version of this paper was presented at Eurocrypt '90, May 21–24, Århus, Denmark, and has appeared in the proceedings, pp. 204–213.     

Polymerization Catalysis in Liquid Propylene: High Activities and Molecular Weights in Propylene/CO Copolymerization Reactions

Summary: The dicationic [(dppp)Pd(NCCH₃)₂](BF₄)₂ catalyst (dppp = 1,3‐bis(diphenylphosphino)propane) was applied in a liquid monomer, two phase process for the CO/propene copolymerization reaction. For the first time it was possible to synthesize propene/CO copolymers with an activity up to 7 500 g/(mol · h) and molecular weights of 500 000 g/mol. Activities up to 40 000 g/(mol · h) could be obtained with the use of the unsymmetric catalyst [(CF₃‐dppp)Pd(NCCH₃)](BF₄)₂ (CF₃‐dppp = 1‐diphenylphosphino‐3‐bis[3,5‐di(trifluormethyl)phenyl]phosphinopropane) in homogeneous liquid propene solution.

Granules found after copolymerization.     

Crack growth angle prediction of an internal crack under mixed mode load for unfilled elastomer using the strain energy density factor

This article investigates the prediction of the crack growth angle of an existing internal crack under mixed mode loading at the crack tip for an unfilled ethylene propylene diene terpolymer rubber (EPDM). For the realization of mixed mode loading, the cracks of the uniaxial loaded specimens were oriented with different angles to the loading direction. The energy density factor was used as a potential criterion for determining the crack growth angle. The determination of the strain energy density factor was carried out simulatively in Abaqus. The second-order Ogden model was used to describe the rubber-like material behavior. The relative local minimum of the strain energy density factor provides the possible growth angle. The experimental investigations show that the initial cracks grow orthogonally to the loading direction for the different crack orientation angles. For the crack orientation angle parallel to the load direction, the crack growth was observed because the strong stretching of the specimen caused strong necking in the crack region. The crack growth for the remaining crack orientation angles were induced due to shear loading at the crack tip. The predictive angle of different crack orientation angles shows very good accordance to the measured crack growth angles.     

Automatic Construction and Verification of Isotopy Invariants

We extend our previous study of the automatic construction of isomorphic classification theorems for algebraic domains by considering the isotopy equivalence relation. Isotopism is an important generalisation of isomorphism, and is studied by mathematicians in domains such as loop theory. This extension was not straightforward, and we had to solve two major technical problems, namely, generating and verifying isotopy invariants. Concentrating on the domain of loop theory, we have developed three novel techniques for generating isotopic invariants, by using the notion of universal identities and by using constructions based on subblocks. In addition, given the complexity of the theorems that verify that a conjunction of the invariants form an isotopy class, we have developed ways of simplifying the problem of proving these theorems. Our techniques employ an interplay of computer algebra, model generation, theorem proving, and satisfiability-solving methods. To demonstrate the power of the approach, we generate isotopic classification theorems for loops of size 6 and 7, which extend the previously known enumeration results. This work was previously beyond the capabilities of automated reasoning techniques. The author’s work was supported by EPSRC MathFIT grant GR/S31099.     

Interferometric tomography for flow visualization of density fields in supersonic jets and convective flow

Tomographic methods are used for the investigation of three-dimensional compressible flow fields by means of interferometric methods. A modified algebraic reconstruction technique algorithm is applied. The algorithm proved to give reliable reconstructions from experimentally measured projection data in the case of an unrestricted angular view. The method was used for the reconstruction of density distributions of weakly perturbed supersonic free jets exiting from a deformed Laval nozzle. Even small perturbations of the jet resulted in significant three-dimensional effects. Reconstruction of a multiple system of jets emanating from a sievelike nozzle showed mutual interactions between the constituent jets. For the investigation of unsteady flows a setup for the recording of holographic interferograms was designed. Here, because of experimental restrictions, only a limited angular range of views was accessible. In the context of this limited-view geometry, reconstructions revealed considerable distortions for objects containing steep gradients.     

Quantitative Raman imaging investigations of mixing phenomena in high-pressure cryogenic jets

A two-dimensional Raman technique was used to investigate mixing phenomena of cryogenic jets under both supercritical and transcritical conditions. The aim of this study was to enlarge the experimental data basis for modeling purposes and to provide quantitative information to help to improve the design of injectors for high-pressure rocket engine combustion chambers. Cryogenic nitrogen, which served as substitute for liquid O(2), was injected into N(2) at room temperature at pressures up to 6.0 MPa. The liquid N(2) jet could be atomized by a coaxial H(2) flow. Raman scattering was generated with a XeF excimer laser. The resulting signal images were discriminated against background by spectral filtering and preferential detection of light with a polarization corresponding to the polarization of the laser, thus making use of the conserved polarization of the Raman-scattered light. The Raman images were converted into density distributions of N(2) and H(2), respectively, as well as into temperature distributions for a variety of experimental conditions.     

Ambulatory urodynamics: extramural testing of the lower and upper urinary tract by Holter monitoring of cystometrogram, uroflowmetry, and renal pelvic pressures

This article elucidates the clinical applicability and state of the art of ambulatory urodynamics. Ambulatory urodynamics have evolved into practical investigations like EAC, HFM, and EAC combined with renal pelvimetry. EAC has been shown to be the method of preference if detrusor overactivity is involved. Conventional filling cystometry has proved to be an unreliable way to exclude detrusor instability. De novo instability after suspension surgery often indicates that an existing detrusor overactivity was not identified preoperatively. EAC including flowmetry has shown considerable variance in obstructive and contractility parameters in males with LUTS indicative for BPH. This raises doubt whether the clinical flow analysis is the suitable "gold standard" as advocated by the ICS. For a real break through of EAC, less complex automatic analysis is necessary. HFM is a newer method within the range of ambulatory urodynamic tests. It has not yet been completely evaluated. But, because the technique is analogous to the office flowmetry, noninvasive and very well accepted by the patients, it is expected to be widely used. This expectation is strengthened by the fact that HFM seems to show individual therapeutic efficacy of drugs, such as alpha-blockers. As a research tool to evaluate efficacy, it is far more powerful than conventional methods because of the reduction of within-patient standard deviation to about 10%. Finally, EAC combined with pelvimetry offers a promising method for the clinical evaluation of a combined dysfunction of upper and lower urinary tract.     

Spectral element spatial discretization error in solving highly anisotropic heat conduction equation

This paper describes a study of the effects of the overall spatial resolution, polynomial degree and computational grid directionality on the accuracy of numerical solutions of a highly anisotropic thermal diffusion equation using the spectral element spatial discretization method. The high-order spectral element macroscopic modeling code SEL/HiFi has been used to explore the parameter space. It is shown that for a given number of spatial degrees of freedom, increasing polynomial degree while reducing the number of elements results in exponential reduction of the numerical error. The alignment of the grid with the direction of anisotropy is shown to further improve the accuracy of the solution. These effects are qualitatively explained and numerically quantified in 2- and 3-dimensional calculations with straight and curved anisotropy.